<p>So towards the end of my junior year at the small, Catholic high school I've attended for twelve years, my guidance counselor and I began discussing my scheduling options for senior year. Due to monetary and faculty issues, classes were very limited, and I would only be able to take two AP classes and a religion class at my high school, the remaining required courses being supplanted by taking classes at the college very near our school. With the way things worked out, I would also have to alternate taking one of the two AP classes in the morning some days and the afternoon other days, and during the afternoon days, my teacher would attempt to catch me up with the morning class as she taught the (non-AP) afternoon class. Adding on to these problems was the fact that my favorite teacher, who I was finally going to have teach me again, is not coming back because of conflicts with the higher-ups. This also led to the cancellation of AP literature, which I had hoped to take since sophomore year but now cannot.
Here's the schedule kind of written out:
1- AP Gov (M,W,F)
2- Study Hall
3- Study Hall (These three study halls I would be taking multi-variable calc and intro-lit at local college)*
4- Study Hall
5- AP Physics
6- Religion
7- "AP" Gov (T,Th)</p>
<p>*note: Due to the nature of the college I'd be studying at, I could only take classes first semester (as I get last pick and they always fill up second semester) so I would be left with four study halls second semester.</p>
<p>So herein lies the dilemma: I have the option to transfer schools to another, somewhat larger high school that can offer me all the courses I want to take (5 APs (including multi-variable calc) and an interesting elective), or I can stay and try and manage as best I can this undesirable schedule.
My reason for wanting a better schedule is not because I think colleges will like it better if I take more than the two APs and dual-enrollment courses my current high school is proposing. My primary reason for leaving would be to pursue my interests and learn as much as I can through the courses the new school is offering to me. I don't see that being very easy at my current high school.
Now that you have some backstory, I'll get to the point of my post. While college admissions are not a primary reason for my transfer, I still care very deeply about how it will affect the way admissions officers see me. I'm looking at fairly selective schools (Ivies and equivalents), and I want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot. To begin, I understand they look at rigor of schedule in context, so that wouldn't be a problem at either school I would think. The things I am concerned about are more geared towards extracurriculars: I'm heavily involved in both athletics and clubs at my current school, and would have to give up several leadership positions in the transfer. Those included would be captain of two, possibly three varsity sports teams, president of Key Club, member of the Honor Council, and member of the National Honor Society.
Giving up these commitments are my biggest concern; I'm fairly certain in my ability to adapt socially given I already have several good friends at the new school, the course rigor would increase (although again, it's looked at in context so I'm not sure it would matter either way), and I will most likely make and play on the sports teams, but my chance of becoming captain are next to none. Plus I'm uncertain how colleges view giving up commitments like the ones I've made at my current school.
Also, do you all think I have a good reason for leaving? I'm usually fairly steadfast in my opinion of how bad the proposed schedule was, but sometimes I doubt if it's even that bad. I know it's my decision blah blah blah, but sometimes an objective viewpoint is really appreciated. Sorry for the long post, but I really need some advice.</p>